This document provides information on five different bird species: the cockatiel, cockatoo, lovebirds, parakeet, and African gray parrot. For each species, defining characteristics are given such as size, lifespan, habitat, physical features, behaviors, and other distinguishing traits.

1. A N I M A L I D
W E E K T W O . T W O - B I R D S : G R A N T H A L L

2. C O C K AT I E L
N Y M P H I C U S H O L L A N D I C U S

3. D E F I N I N G
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
• males very easily learn to
whistle tunes and can even
be taught to talk
• Grow 14 - 18 inches
• Live 12 - 30 years

4. C O C K AT O O S
C A C A T U O I D E A

5. D E F I N I N G
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
• found in Australia, New
Guinea, Indonesia,
Solomon Islands, and
Philippines
• prefer Rain forest,
scrublands, eucalyptus
grove, forest, mangrove,
and open country
• distinctive crest

6. L O V E B I R D S
A G A P O R N I S

7. D E F I N I N G
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
• Lifespan: 10 – 15 y
• Clutch size: 4 – 6
• Mass: 0.04 – 0.06 kg

8. PA R A K E E T
M E L O P S I T TA C U S U N D U L A T U S B U D G E R I G A R

9. D E F I N I N G
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
• Parakeet are a very social
species living in large
groups up to the thousands
• Wild birds have green
plumage
• Captive breeding results in
shades of blue, gray, yellow,
white or combinations
• Males have bluish ceres
(fleshy areas around nostrils),
while females have whitish-
brown ceres

10. A F R I C A N G R AY PA R R O T
P S I T TA C U S E R I T H A C U S

11. D E F I N I N G
C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S
• distinctive flap of skin that
lies below their jaw
• Length 33 cm (13 inches)
• Grey parrots are solitary birds
but they do get together
when the food is abundant
• Extremely noisy and highly
noticeable especially at their
roosting sites at night